BBM Voice and BBM Channels reportedly arriving on Android and iOS

BlackBerry Messenger for Android and iOS will soon be getting an update that will introduce BBM Voice and BBM Channels, Times of Indiareports. Introducing free calls on the app will put BBM in direct competition with apps like Viber.

BlackBerry had introduced BBM Voice in July last year on devices running OS 5 and upwards. The feature essentially lets you talk or send voice messages to any of your BBM contacts over Wi-Fi. BBM Channels, which was launched in November last year, is a forum wherein a channel owner can post messages, share pictures and post animated GIFs, start discussions, chat directly with subscribers, and also integrate live chat to schedule chat hours for one on one chat sessions. One will be able to join or opt out of a channel as per their wish, and also allow other users to join one’s own channel.

There is no set date of release and all BlackBerry executives mentioned was that the features would be launched in the “coming weeks.”